Luke 24: 33-53, Ascension

Jesus has just talked to two men on the road to Emmaus (near Jerusalem).

Luke 24: 33-43, Jesus visits the disciples
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon."

Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.

And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"

They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

Does Jesus have the same body he had before the resurrection?  He appears to eat the fish as if to make sure they know he is physically there, not ephemeral.

This Sunday evening appearance is mentioned in the Gospel of John. Thomas is not there.

Luke 24: 44-53, Ascension
He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." 

 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.

Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Luke follows his gospel, with a sequel, the book of Acts.  He records there that forty days transpire during which time Jesus meets his followers.  Jesus appears in the Jerusalem area, then in Galilee for awhile and then they all return to Jerusalem. It is not clear why these events occur in this order but it puts the disciples back in Jerusalem for Pentecost.

We will begin a study of Acts tomorrow.

Luke 24: 1-32, He is Risen!

Jesus has been buried at the beginning of the Sabbath, just before Friday evening.  The women who had followed Jesus continued to do so, following his body to the tomb and observing where he had been buried.

Luke 24: 1-8, Visit to the tomb
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: `The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" Then they remembered his words.

What are the thoughts of the women as they enter the tomb? What do you think is their reaction afterwards?

Luke 24: 9-12, Peter also
When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.

But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

As yet we do not have just anyone seeing Jesus. Matthew 28 has the women seeing Jesus before they visit the Eleven. (It also says they saw one angel.) Apparently we have two visits to the empty tomb. First the women (Matt 28: 1-10). Salome and the two Marys are mentioned by Mark.

According to John, Mary Magdalene saw the empty tomb (with stone rolled away). She tells Peter and John. They go to the tomb, John first, but John does not go in. Peter does. No angels. John believes. They leave. Then Jesus appears to Mary (after she tells the disciples the tomb is empty) and Mary sees two angels, one at the foot and one at the head of the tomb. Then that evening he appears to a number of disciples. A week later he appears when Thomas is there. This seems to be all in Judea. Then later (John 21) he appears in Galilee.

Later he appears to them in Galilee (Matt 28: 16 - 20), maybe twice.

Luke 24: 13-24, Emmaus Road
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast.

One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

"What things?" he asked.

"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."

The phrase translated "seven miles" in verse 13 is, in Greek, "sixty stadia", that is, about 11 kilometers.

The two men summarize all the recent events, admitting their consternation and despair at the Messiah's death.  No explanation is given for why they do not recognize him here.

Luke 24: 25-32, Emmaus Road

He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.

They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

I have always found this event puzzling. Why does Jesus choose these two men to show himself to?And why/how is Jesus' identity kept from these two men? (If the resurrected body is similar, but different to the original, was there something about his appearance that was different? Or had these two men followed him from afar and not really been close to him previously?)

When Jesus breaks the loaf of bread, he is signaling something. At that point they know who he is. (Why do they suddenly recognize him when they eat? Why does he disappear?) This incident is mentioned in Mark 16.

We will finish the Gospel of Luke tomorrow.

Luke 23: 26-56, On the Cross

Jesus has been sentenced to be crucified.

Luke 23: 26-31, A man from Cyrene and women of Jerusalem
As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.

Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, `Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' Then "`they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"'

For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

Luke identifies the man who carried the cross.

The quote in verse 31 ("Fall on us! Cover us!") is from Hosea 10:8, prophesying a time of war and desolation for Jerusalem.

Luke 23: 32-33, Two other criminals
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left.  Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."  And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Jesus is crucified between the other two. The soldier remove Jesus's clothes and keep them for themselves, since he is expected to die by thirst and exposure.

Luke 23: 35-38
The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."

The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Even in their mockery, the soldiers get it right.  This is the eternal King of the Jews.

Luke 23: 39-43, Two criminals separated
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

It is a strange aspect of human nature that one of the criminals wants to join in the mockery.  But Luke reports that one does not and indeed, that one is aware of whom he is dying with.

The fact that one asks to join Jesus in his kingdom is recorded only by Luke.

Luke 23: 44-49, Death
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.

Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.

The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man."

When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Jesus suddenly dies quickly.  Crucifixions were notorious for long torturous deaths.

Luke 23: 50-53, Burial
Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.

One of the religious leaders is a Follower and seeks a decent burial for Jesus.

Luke 23: 54-56, Grieving women
It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

It is Friday afternoon.  When the sun sets the Sabbath begins and no work is to be done.  So the women will bring back spices on Sunday, after the Sabbath is over.

Luke 23: 1-25, Pilate, Herod, Pilate

Now that the religious leaders have caught Jesus in "blasphemy", they continue with their plan to have him executed.  But that requires the permission of the Romans....

Luke 23: 1-7, Before Pilate
Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, "We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king."

So Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" 

"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.

Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no basis for a charge against this man."

But they insisted, "He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here."

On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. When he learned that Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

Pilate seems unperturbed by Jesus's claim to be the king of the Jews. Jesus has made no earthly claim to power and Pilate seems to recognize the political jealousy that has led to this trial. In this round, at least, Pilate has no interest in making a decision. Seizing a political opportunity, he passes the case to Herod.

Luke 23: 8-12, Over to Herod
When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some miracle. He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer.

The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate.

That day Herod and Pilate became friends--before this they had been enemies.

In Jesus Christ, Superstar, Herod supposedly says, "Prove to me that you're no fool, walk across my swimming pool."  Those lyrics hit at the spirit of Herod's inquiry – he hopes for some splashy demonstration of magic.  But Jesus will not play.  Herod, however, is controlled by the people and their allegations (Herod pretends to be a Jew) and so Herod keeps Jesus in chains and passes him back to Pilate.

King Herod, described in this chapter, is Herod Antipas.  He is the son of Herod, the Great,  the Herod that massacred the innocent children of Bethlehem in Matthew 2.  (A third Herod mentioned in the New Testament is Herod Agrippa, grandson of Herod, the Great.)

Luke 23: 13-16, Pilate waffles
Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him."

Pilate sees no reason to continue the farce and so attempts to announce his decision. He plans to have Jesus whipped, in an attempt to mollify the angry leaders.

According to the NIV footnotes, some manuscripts add another sentence, verse 17: "Now he was obliged to release one man to them at the Feast."

Luke 23: 18-25, The crowd wins
With one voice they cried out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!" (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again.

But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"

For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him."

But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed.

So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

The injustice is clear.  A terrorist and murderer is set free while the innocent Messiah is to be executed in his place.  Barabbas is the first of many who are set free by the death of Jesus.  It is not recorded whether Barabbas is ever aware of this trade.

Timeline of Resurrection Appearances

The New Testament records a number of appearances of Jesus after his resurrection.  I will try to summarize that here.

The women visit the tomb

Luke 24 has the women visiting the tomb, followed by Peter.  Matthew 28 has the women seeing Jesus before they visit the eleven remaining disciples. (It also records that they saw one angel.) Possibly we have two visits to the empty tomb. The first visit involves two women, both named Mary (Matt 28: 1-10). Mark (in Mark 16:1-8) records these two women visiting the tomb, along with a woman named Salome.

John and Peter

According to John, Mary Magdalene saw the empty tomb (with a stone rolled away.) She then told Peter and John about this. They go to the tomb, John first, but John does not go in. Peter does. (No angels are mentioned.) John believes that Jesus has risen from the dead. They leave the tomb and then Jesus appears to Mary (after she tells the disciples the tomb is empty) and Mary sees two angels, one at the foot and one at the head of the tomb.

Evening visit by Jesus to the disciples in Judea

Later that evening Jesus appears to a number of disciples, including two unnamed followers who are walking to nearby Emmaus.  A week later (John 20: 24-29) he appears when Thomas is with the others. This seems to all occur in Judea.

Appearances is Galilee

Later (John 21, Matthew 28: 16-20) Jesus appears in Galilee to the disciples, after they have returned to their homes.

Paul, in I Corinthians 15: 3-7, records that after appearing to Peter and the other disciples, at one time Jesus appeared to more than 500 followers, many of whom are still alive in Paul's day.  After that, Jesus appears to James, his brother and then much later, on the Damascus road, Jesus appeared to Saul/Paul.

Resources

Here are some online sources that attempt to work through the various appearances.

1. From a Catholic scholar, a blog post.
2. This post, from biblestudy.org, even attempts to give precise dates, although leaving out the appearance of Jesus to Peter.  (The exact dates should be viewed with suspicion.)
3. Grace Fellowship Church in Toronto has a webpage that offers a chronology from the crucifixion to ascension.
4. BlueLetterBible.org has a similar webpage.
5. And, of course, there is a Wikipedia article.

Tomorrow we return to the last few chapters of Luke.